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Cambridge PuG Crawl, Friday 5th April 2024 with Gann on the Pub Forum

Simmons Old Street, EC1

235 Old Street
EC1
EC1V 9HB
Phone: 02073360275

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Canvas Bar

Once The George IV and rebuilt post-World War II in a prominent location and known as Nelson's Retreat until 2014 when the name changed to Canvas Bar; some roundels to the front indicate that this was once a Watney Combe Reid pub. This was a bit of a dodgy boozer and I was wary of it whenever I walked past. It didn't look great the other night, but as it was a long walk to our next stop and we needed a pee, we popped in for a swift half. It was almost deserted early evening and what few people were in attendance didn't appeal. There's bare brick throughout and the floor is covered with patterned tiles. There are leatherette sofas and pouffes and seemingly no tables, just a few semi-circular rests to the windows, covered with Perspex which was partially shattered. Lighting is coloured, typically red or blue and music is muted. Given the number of shakers, the place seems to revolve around cocktails, though I didn't see any being ordered, probably due to the fact that it was almost empty. The pub had a token beer, Poretti lager at an insulting £3.00 a half.
At best, this isn't my sort of thing and it's not at it's best so there's no chance I'll return.

On 26th May 2016 - rating: 2
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Clive Thompson left this review about The Nelson's Retreat

Worth popping in to but the beer quality can be unreliable. Traditional old boozer with a locals feel to it. Part of the pub is given over to a dining area, with a large Thai menu.

On 11th April 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Nelson's Retreat

I was unfortunate with my timing whilst visiting this place for the first time as I walked in as the governor was ejecting some nutcase. After a few expletives from the undesirable normal business resumed and I got the feeling that the locals had seen it all before and were immune to the threatening ramblings of the Old Street crazies.

The pub itself is fairly unremarkable, although there is a pool table and a couple of plasma screens and TVs for the sports. The music from the jukebox was set at a good level and the barmaid was friendly enough. The Deuchars was good and Pride was also available along with Hoegarden and a selection of standard lagers.

This place is ok for the area and there are worse pubs nearby, but I still can't see myself returning in a hurry.

On 23rd February 2009 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5178 recommendations about 5147 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about The Nelson's Retreat

This modern estate pub is comfortable enough but is hardly a place that oozes character. The interior is fairly uninspiring with the usual run of games machines, pool table, juke box and a couple of Gooner shirts on display. The basic but reasonably priced beers (London Pride / Green King IPA) were quite well kept but I was rather put off by the local punters whose loud and limited vocabulary was matched only by the staff. The Thai kitchen is reasonably priced although the Cocktail menu would probably be of more interest to the Obscene Publication Squad. Overall a rather common and functional pub geared to the younger football and pool brigade. There is little else around here to attract outsiders so I wouldn't recommend making a specific trip.

On 23rd November 2007 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]

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